Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Serious Sites in the South East series. It is now over and i'v had a fantastic time visiting each amazing place and learning more about the history of Ireland's sunny south east! If anyone has any further questions they would like to ask me about my experiences feel free to leave a comment or send me a message. Thank you all 💕

Hook Lighthouse

Welcome to the seventh installment of the Serious Sites in the South East series. This week we visit the wonderful Hook Lighthouse in Hook Head, County Wexford! 

What is Hook Lighthouse?
Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in the world. The current structure has stood there for over 800 years. In the fifth century a monk built a monastery on the Hook peninsula, it is said that the monks were the first to light a fire beacon to warn passers by of the dangerous rocks. 

Price:
Adult €9
Senior / Student €7
Child under 5 yrs free 
Family 1 + 1  €12
Family 1 + 2 €15
Family 2 + 1 €20
Family 2 + 2 €22
Family 2 + 3 €24  

Facilities:
Cafe/Restaurant
Car Park
Toilets
Gift shop 
Guided Tours
Whale watching 
Family events over holidays

Wheelchair/Buggies:
Not suitable for wheelchairs and buggies as it is a steep stairs all the way to the top.

Family Friendly:
The lighthouse is definitely family friendly but maybe for kids over five as they will have little interest in the history of the lighthouse and it is a climb to the top.

Aisling's Advice:
I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to Hook Lighthouse, I was skeptical as to how interesting it would be but our tour guide Noel captivated you with how he spoke about the lighthouse. It was great to see someone enjoying their job so much and there wasn't a single question he couldn't answer! Guided tours leave every 30 minutes and it seems the earlier ones are the least busy if you want a more personal tour. When you've finished your tour of the lighthouse you can go to the gift shop and have a look around or you can grab a bite to eat from the cafe/restaurant tha

t has a full menu and everything sounds delicious! If you have the time you could also visit all the other sites the Hook Peninsula has to offer such as Loftus Hall (Ireland's most haunted house), Tintern Abbey, Duncannon Fort and Ballyhack Castle. 

Ratings: A great place to visit!
Historical Factors:     4/5 - Great history.
Aesthetic Factors:      3.5/5 - Lighthouse tower and views great, would be better on a clear day.
Overall Experience:   4/5 - Very enjoyable but tour is only 45 minutes need to fill day with other sites as well.

Check out my YouTube video of Hook Lighthouse:
CLICK HERE
For more info:
CLICK HERE

John F. Kennedy Arboretum

Welcome to the sixth installment of the Serious Sites in the South East series. This week we visit the wonderful John F. Kennedy Arboretum in New Ross, County Wexford! 

What is the JFK Arboretum?
It is an outstanding plant collection/ walk spread out over 623 acres dedicated to the American President John F. Kennedy. It contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world as well as a lake, tearooms, small maze and a play ground. 

Prices:
Adult: €5.00
Group/Senior: €4.00 
Child/Student: €3.00
Family: €13.00 

Facilities:
Exhibitions (seasonal)
Toilets, 
Car park and coach park 
Tearooms (seasonal)
Picnic site
Play ground 
Maze
Miniature railway (seasonal)
Pony & trap service(seasonal)
Nature trail 

Wheelchair/Buggies:
Majority of the grounds is accessible by wheelchair.

Family Friendly:
JFK Arboretum is very family friendly (I actually have great memories of going here as a kid myself!) There is a wonderful playground for kids right beside the picnic area and tearooms. People of all ages can definitely enjoy the walk around the arboretum!

Aislings Advice:
I love the JFK Arboretum and advise everyone to check it out as it is the perfect location for family days out or just for people to go for a stroll and see some lovely flowers and trees. You could easily spend a whole summers day here. My advise would be to pack a picnic and bring your kids to the arboretum around midday, walk the first half of the nature trail and then find the picnic area/play ground/ tearooms. Enjoy your picnic let the kids have a play, get some icec-cream and set off on the second half of your adventure. You won't regret it!

Ratings: A great place!
Historical Factors:      N/A
Aesthetic Factors:       3/5
Overall Experience:    4/5


Check out my video here:
CLICK HERE

Click below for more info:
CLICK HERE

The Copper Coast

Welcome to the fifth installment of the Serious Sites in the South East Series! This week we took the beautiful drive along The Copper Coast in County Waterford. 

What is The Copper Coast?
The Copper Coast is a drive along the coast of Waterford that stretches for 17 kilometers. The drive itself has stunning views the whole way and is great for those days where you just want to go for a drive. Along the drive there is also The Copper Coast Geo-Park. This consists of different sites along the coast that record different geological events over 460 million years. 
  

Towns and Sites Along The Copper Coast:
Towns -

Fenor, Annestown, Dunhill, Boatstrand, Bunmahon, Stradbally and Kilmacthomas.

Sites - 
Fenor Bog, Kilmurrin Cove, Tankardstown Mining Complex, Knockmahon and Stage Cove, Bunmahon Head, Ballydowane Bay, Stradbally Cove.

Stradbally Cove

Aisling's Advice:
Choose a nice sunny day, pack a picnic and set off on The Copper Coast Drive. Some of the geological sites along the way are very accessible and are well worthy a visit such as Kilmurrin Cove, Tankardstown, Stradbally Cove and my personal favourite Ballydowane Bay. However some of the sites are out of the way and so off road that we couldn't actually find them which was quiet disappointing. There are many places to pull in and take in the stunning scenery along the way aswell as some picnic spots to set up for lunch. 





Ratings:
Historical Factors:     2/5 - history is based around geology (rock formations)
Aesthetic Factors:     4/5 - beautiful views of the coast
Overall Experience:  3/5 

Kilmurrin Cove

Ballydowane Bay

See my video of The Copper Coast here:
CLICK HERE


For more info:
CLICK HERE